Okay, so I wasn't even hooked on this until 7 or 8 episodes in. The leads weren't that appealing to me at the outset, and while the plot moved at a cracking pace, I wasn't fully bought into the world.

Until I was.

And I got obsessed.

The leads show AMAZING growth, the kind that's really rare in modern fiction of any kind, so just be patient if they are not quite your thing early on. Both of them are actually excellent actors and they will show you their artistic range and remarkable connection if you just get past the more mono-tonal first quarter and into the deeper parts of the story. The emotional connection between the characters seems to resonate with the actors themselves (watch some BTS if you don't believe me).

The story itself is lively, twisty and worthy, epic and free of the fetters of filler.

I never got bored when the focus of the plot shifted to the side characters because there were many rich, complex characters with unique motivations and perspectives. I was genuinely invested in a far greater range of characters' wellbeing than is normal for me. There was not a moment that I was bored, or could look away.

The art was beautiful (give me a cloud whale!) and the music sublime, and never overly intrusive.

Rong Hao was a deliciously complex villain played by an always masterful actor whose work I have loved elsewhere.

The comedy was perfectly timed, the romance deeply believable, the action sequences gorgeous.

I am going to rewatch this drama for the rest of my life. My new favourite Cdrama of all time.